Cool How would the cooler work exactly? Would it just aid the radiator in cooling the transmission or would the tranny cooler work by itself?

Hey mate,

the radiator reduces the temperature of the water before flowing through the trans cooler heat exchanger, which in turn aids in the reduction of transmission fluid temps, as the heat sink transfers heat from the fluid.

The trans cooler we have in mind will be connected in series with the OE heat exchanger and will see the transmission fluid flow through the core post heat exchanger, prior to returning to the transmission.

We could most definitely do a stand alone trans cooler but that would require modification to the OE rad', coolant hoses and transmission fluid line, thereby precluding the kit from the DIY guys.

Stable transmission fluid temps are critical to the correct operation of the multi-plate clutch packs in the transmission.

If the transmission is running outside of its optimal temp, the clutch packs can slip or flare on gear changes, which in turn generates more heat within the tranny and exacerbates the problem.

Poor quality transmission fluid, or fluid that is beginning to break down as a result of excessive service length or heat can also cause clutch pack slippage.

However whilst stable operating temps and high quality fluid are critical to AT serviceability, they still have a torque threshold where the clutch packs will slip regardless of running temperatures or the condition of the transmission fluid.

given that the AT rad' for the N54 loses approximately 12% of its frontal surface area for the purposes of transmission cooling, the Tech' at PWR recommended the use of their "Close Mesh Core Configuration", for vehicles that are not daily driven or for owners that live in a cooler climate.

The core upgrade adds an additional $165 to the cost of the rad', however I am told that pricing can be reduced as part of the GB, pending the total number of units ordered.

FYI,

the MT 5970 rad' can also be ordered with the core upgrade, for those guys wishing to maximise cooling efficiency at the race track.

Here are two cross-sectional pics illustrating the difference in core construction between the standard core and the "Close Mesh" option on the right.

given that the AT rad' for the N54 loses approximately 12% of its frontal surface area for the purposes of transmission cooling, the Tech' at PWR recommended the use of their "Close Mesh Core Configuration", for vehicles that are not daily driven or for owners that live in a cooler climate.

I understand that the close mesh configuration helped cooling so that more heat can be evacuated due to the larger surface area available for cooling.

Why would this design then be particularly interesting for those who are living in colder climates where less (and not more) cooling is needed?

I understand that the close mesh configuration helped cooling so that more heat can be evacuated due to the larger surface area available for cooling.

Why would this design then be particularly interesting for those who are living in colder climates where less (and not more) cooling is needed?

Alpina_B3_Lux

Hey Alpina,

when I recommended the core upgrade for vehicles "that are not daily driven or for owners that live in a cooler climate", this was in reference to the reduced airflow you are likely to see through the denser "Close Mesh Core Configuration" at low air speeds.

For vehicles that are in stop-go traffic or warmer climates, I was told it's quite possible you will see higher water temps, with the use of PWR's core upgrade in daily driving due to airflow restrictions, than you otherwise would with their standard core. In a cooler climate with significantly lower ambient temps, there would be less thermal load on the cooling system, so airflow through the rad' would not be as much of a concern.

However on the race track where you have maximum air speed and thereby full penetration of air through the densely finned 42 mm core, heat transfer properties are much improved over their standard core.

This is where the "Close Mesh Core Configuration" comes into its own, as under the extreme driving conditions of the racetrack, the thermal load on the cooling system will be further reduced, due to the higher efficiency of PWR's core upgrade.

The good news is that PWR are ready to produce a "direct fitment" radiator, that will substantially outperform the heat transfer capability of the BMW OE unit.

Pending its final design it may also improve the efficiency of the AT heat exchanger.

The bad news is that will cost quite a bit more than their currently available MT 5970 unit.

I have been in correspondence with a knowledgable PWR rep' over the last 4 weeks.

Following several conversations between the rep' and one of their engineers over the last week, I am told that due to efficiency concerns, they are not prepared to produce an AT fitment radiator, unless it incorporates their "Close Mesh Core Configuration".

Unfortunately this adds $165 to the cost of the rad' straight up.

The addition of the machined billet aluminium fittings, required for the hose connections associated with the AT heat exchanger and the inclusion of a cross-flow baffle in the end tanks, also substantially increases the fabrication costs.

As such I am sorry to say, but we have to revise the purchase price of the AT radiator.

The group buy pricing for the Advan Performance/PWR "custom build" AT radiator is now $1,245.00, exclusive of shipping.

I can appreciate that this is an additional $450 on top of the MT 5970 unit we are selling.

However please remember this is NOT a currently available item from the PWR catalogue.

It's being custom built by PWR, exclusively for Advan Perfomance and PWR charges accordingly for a "custom build" radiator.

Whist I can very much appreciate that many potential customers will now bork at the final cost, I am sorry to say that in this instance, "it costs what it costs".

Peter and I can simply not sell it for any less, as the margin between our trade price and retail is small enough, without even considering the substantial R&D time, that has gone into getting the project to this stage.

That being said the heat transfer capabilities of our PWR AT radiator will far exceed that of the BMW OE rad' and Advan will guarantee that it's a "direct fitment" unit.